McConnell Announces $8.75 Million for Rough River Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dedicated $8,750,000 to a major rehabilitation of the Rough River Lake Dam in its Fiscal Year 2021 Work Plan. According to the Army Corps, a 2012 safety report on the existing dam called for structural improvement to lower the risk of flooding to surrounding homes and communities.

"It's been my privilege to ensure the voices of the Rough River Lake community are heard in Washington," said Senator McConnell. "I was proud to secure the funding that will protect local families and businesses from the danger of severe flooding. I look forward to every opportunity to support this community as we improve our critical infrastructure."

"I want to thank Senator McConnell for securing this important funding for Rough River Lake. In recent years, Senator McConnell has consistently fought to ensure Rough River Lake and the surrounding community are protected from government overreach. His work now is helping to ensure important work is done to help make sure Rough River Lake continues to thrive. Rough River Lake is such an important part of our community. Senator McConnell is always using his position to help protect and make it better," said Breckinridge County Judge/Executive Maurice Lucas.

At Senator McConnell's request, the USACE Work Plan also included $110,100,000 for the Kentucky Lock and Dam project. Since Congress authorized the project in 1996, Senator McConnell has delivered over $600 million to construct a new and larger lock.

According to the Army Corps, the Kentucky Lock's shipment delays are among the longest in the country, hindering the more than $5 billion worth of commodities that flow through the lock every year. Once completed, the new lock addition will essentially eliminate these delays well into the future.

"Kentucky continues to take full advantage of our location at the heart of America's inland waterways system. The Army Corps' Work Plan will reinvest in our Commonwealth's vital infrastructure, promoting economic growth and supporting our maritime workers," said Senator McConnell. "I've consistently engaged with the communities around the Kentucky Lock and Dam, and I'm proud to continue delivering for these families and workers. I'll keep working with our partners at the Army Corps so they can finish the job and improve the efficiency of commerce on Western Kentucky's inland waterways."

In December, Senator McConnell led passage of major legislation to invest in Kentucky's water priorities. In that bill, he secured an increased funding authorization of $1.1 billion for the Kentucky Lock and Dam project. The previous limit was expected to be reached as early as 2022. In the same legislation, Senator McConnell also helped negotiate a new 65%-35% cost-sharing agreement for the USACE to contribute more federal funding for major construction projects. The new cost-share formula could accelerate completion of the Kentucky Lock project by as much as three years.

"Senator McConnell's steadfast support of the nation's inland waterways has, again, resulted in another year of significant funding for the Kentucky Lock project," said Matt Ricketts, Chairman of Waterways Council Inc. and President and CEO of Crounse Corporation in Paducah, Kentucky. "This funding allows critical portions of the project to proceed in an efficient manner, sustaining and accelerating the many benefits this project delivers to Kentucky and the region. We remain grateful for Senator McConnell's leadership."

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